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    Stunning vineyard wedding venues in South Africa

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    South Africa has an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues to choose from. From hotels to vineyards, the country is anything but lacking.

    Vineyards are some of the best venues as they can add an extra fairy-tale feel to your special day. Most have amazing indoor and outdoor facilities and come with special wedding packages. If you’re looking to go the vineyard route for your venue, you’re spoilt for choice.

    Here are some of our favourite vineyard wedding venues in South Africa:

    – The Conservatory, Franschhoek 

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    The Conservatory is surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. The venue is largely made of glass, which means you’ll get some great lighting if you opt for an indoor ceremony or reception. You have the option to have your festivities outside in the vineyards too.

    On their website, The Conservatory says “Our philosophy is simple yet stylish, inspiring but versatile, catering to all who require a blank canvas to create a unique event that transforms a space into a true reflection of themselves.”

    – Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Stellenbosch 

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    In the Banghoek Valley near Stellenbosch, at Zorgvliet wines, you’ll have the stunning Simonsberg Mountains as the backdrop for your wedding. The estate offers several different facilities for your special day. The Oak room is the venue for receptions, but they also have a chapel and a room for pre-reception drinks.

    – Highberry Farm, Somerset West 

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    This relatively new venue was completed in 2018. If you’re looking for a venue that hasn’t been seen hundreds of times, then this is the one for you. Views of vineyards, dams, the surrounding mountain range and horse paddocks will be the backdrop of your special day.

    The venue sits 120 people, includes a dance floor and comes with facilities including a fully equipped kitchen, a licensed bar, as well as a spacious lawn on which a marquee could be erected or canapés and live music can be held. It also contains a more intimate utility area upstairs that may be used as a chapel.

    – Leipzig Country House, Worcester 

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    At the Leipzig Country House you’ll be sure to have your fairytale dreams come true. For your ceremony’s venue you can choose from the century-old brandy cellar overlooking the vineyards or a tranquil garden with towering oaks. The wedding reception will be held in the wine cellar which seats 130 guests.

    “The endless vistas, surrounding vineyards, rolling lawns of the amphitheater and rural charm of the historic buildings provide a stunning canvas to capture lasting memories,” says the Leipzig Country House.

    – Marlenique Estate, Simondium area of the Winelands district

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    The venue is central to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It can hold 350 guests with dancing and 400 without a dance floor. With mountains and orchards as your backdrop, you’re sure to have a dreamy day.

    Open air weddings on the lawns beside the fruit orchards or on their private stretch of the Berg River are an option.

    – Bakenhof Winelands Venue, Wellington 

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    About an hour away from Cape Town, the venue is situated on a hill of a private grape farm. The incredible views are out of this world and are sure to make you day even more special than it already is.

    Bakenhof says, “We focus on a unique, personalised and unhurried experience. Our philosophy is that your day is as important to us as it is to you, with our mission to exceed your expectations – be it day or night, formal or informal, summer or winter, sunshine or rain.”

    Image: Instagram /Bakenhof Winelands Venue

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    In Advice

    Here’s your chance to get married on Robben Island

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    Every year, the Department of Home Affairs and Robben Island Museum work together to offer a yearly opportunity for couples to say ‘I do’ on Valentines Day on the island. Here’s how you can get in on the action.

    On Valentines Day, the island is transformed into a stunning venue where couples can participate in a mass wedding. 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of this tradition, making this year very special. This Valentines Day, 20 couples will tie knot to honour the anniversary.

    Couples chosen will take the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to the Robben Island Museum, and their ceremony will be held at the Robben Island Chapel. Following the exchanging of their vows, couples will head off to a wedding reception for lunch and thereafter go on a tour of the Museum. The area will also be an opportunity for the couples to take their wedding photos on the beach and to capture the iconic and other scenic areas on the island.  The couples will return to Cape Town in the afternoon.

    Couples wishing to participate may contact Wilhelmina Booysen on 021 468 4510 or [email protected] and Yolanda Mdutywana on 021 413 4226 or [email protected]. The last day to apply is February 5, 2020.

    Feature image: Pexels

     

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    In Advice

    Saving money on wedding flowers: tips and tricks

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    Flowers have always been an important part of wedding décor, and we assume they will continue as such. From bouquets and boutonnières to centrepieces and decorations, the wedding flowers play a big role in creating an atmosphere.

    The only problem is that flowers are quite pricey; they can extensively push up your expenses list. This is the opposite of the goal…right? We all want to save some money and bring that wedding expenses down as low as possible.

    Here are a few ways you can save money on your wedding flowers:

    – Keep it local and seasonal 

    Avoiding importing your flowers will save you big bucks. A local option is definitely the better choice for your budget. A similar principle applies to in-season blossoms. While you probably could find your desired out-of-season flower somewhere, it’ll be way more pricey than picking something in-season. The flowers will be fresher too!

    – Go for greens 

    Adding some lush leaves and greenery can do wonders for your budget and your floral arrangements. They add a whimsical feel to your decor  and fill up your arrangements in a stylish way, saving you from purchasing large quantities of flowers.

    – Bigger blooms 

    This one is simple. The bigger the flower, the less you have to buy. Save yourself some cash and opt for a larger or statement bloom.

    – Limit yourself to three flowers 

    In most cases, a florist will order the flowers in bulk, even if you don’t need too many of a specific one. If you keep the flower variations to three or less, it’ll save you some money because a bulk purchase will be necessary and none will go to waste.

    – Mix and match decor elements 

    Add tea lights, fairy lights and candles or whatever trimming your heart desires to your venue. Opting for some different decor elements will cut your flower expenses drastically.

    – Leave flowers out where you can 

    Perhaps you could skip the boutonnieres and corsages. While some people might want to keep them for tradition, they are not a necessity and can be replaced with alternatives if need be.

    – Forget a February wedding 

    Valentine’s Day pushes up the price of flowers! You’re likely to pay much more than usual for whatever flower you want in February. Best avoid this month to keep the costs down.

    Image: Pexels

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    In Accessories

    Brilliant bridal hair accessories to top off your look

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    From the top of your head to the tip of your toes, accessories can make or break a look. Have some fun with a few well-placed pins to take your hair from drab to fab.

    Here are some ideas to make sure your hair game is on point on your big day.

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    Feature image: Pexels

     

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    In Emotional

    Wedding pictures: Before vs after the ceremony

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    Many couples are unsure about when to have their official wedding photoshoot. Some hold fast to the tradition of seeing each other for the first time when entering the ceremony venue and walking down the aisle. All pictures of the couple then usually follow after the ceremony and before the reception. Others love the idea of the “first look” trend where the see each other privately beforehand, and some then choose to have the entire shoot before the actual wedding.

    We take a look at the pros and cons of both to help you decide which is right for you.

    Before the ceremony

     

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    Don’t mind us while we just sob over here, this grooms face is EVERYTHING. ✨ . . . PHOTO: @macyfrances VENUE: @thestvrain FLORAL: @freshbloomsfloraldesign CATERING: @sugarpinecatering DESSERT: @sweetcowicecream @downrightsweettreats BEAUTY: @bellohavenhairextensions @antoniadg @glam__gall PLANNING: @rootandgatherevents . #rockymountainbride #rockymountainbridemagazine #rmbcolorado #coloradowedding #coloradoweddings #stvrain #firstlookwedding #firstlook #groom #coloradobride #coloradogroom #groomsface #ido #tohaveandtohold #couplesgoals #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #thefeels #feels #howsweet #sweetness #shesbeautiful #weddinginspiration #wedspo #weddinginspo

    A post shared by Rocky Mountain Bride (@rockymtnbride) on

    Pros:
    -It will ease up the nerves

    Your wedding day can have you feeling very nervous, especially in the moments before you head to the ceremony. If you decide to see each other beforehand, it might make you loosen up and have some fun together, before you take the final step.

    -It’s a special, private moment

    Because the day is very emotional for both of you, spending the moment in private together will be extra special. This way, the groom can let his guard down and expose his vulnerable side when he sees you for the first time on the day, which is more intimate than in front of a crowd.

    Cons:

    -It changes tradition

    The longstanding tradition in Western weddings is that the bride and groom don’t see each other before the wedding, with the first time they lay eyes on each other being when the bride walks down the aisle. However, some feel like it might be time to let go of certain rituals and embrace new trends.

    -It influences your timeline

    If you want to incorporate the “first look” and do the photoshoot before the ceremony, you will have to keep in mind that it takes time. Your schedule might have to move up to accommodate a few extra hours.

    After the ceremony

    Pros:

    -You get the best lighting

    If you have the traditional late afternoon ceremony with an evening reception, doing the photoshoot after the ceremony will mean you get that golden hour hue. Of course, you can still split it so you do a first look before the ceremony and then do the rest of the shoot after, so you get the best of both worlds.

    -You capture a different kind of moment

    The groom’s expression when he sees the bride walking down the aisle might not be as private as the first look, but it can be just as special. It captures a special moment of a different kind, and the wonder in his eyes will be just as beautiful.

    Cons:

    -You don’t have privacy

    Depending on how many guests you have, it might be nerve racking to see your partner for the first time in front of all those people. It might make you both feel slightly exposed, but then again, you might want to share the moment with the people you love.

    -You don’t spend time before the ceremony

    If you see each other at the ceremony for the first time, you don’t have the chance to spend some alone time together. The day will probably be busy and you won’t get to take a breath until after the whole wedding.

    In the end, both ways can be wonderful and solely depends on your personal preference. There is no wrong way to do it.

     

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    In Advice

    Small touches to personalise your wedding

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    People get married all the time, so you want to make sure your wedding stands out from the crowd. Adding a personal touch to parts of your wedding makes the day memorable not only for the betrothed couple but also for the guests. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Small touches can make a big difference if done well.

    There are a multitude of ways to add personal touches to your big day. Here are a few ideas:

    Signature drinks

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    Quirky wedding favours

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    Unique cake topper

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    Choreograph a dance routine

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    A paw-some ring bearer

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    Special embroidery

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    Set up a wedding hashtag

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    Write your own meaningful vows

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    Get punny

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    Play some games

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    In Fashion

    Bright suits for gorgeous gentlemen

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    Grooms these days have endless options when it comes to wedding attire. Even the most extra groom can voice his wildest dream-suit, we bet it’s out there. Depending on hubby-to-be’s personality, the dress code and the theme and colour scheme of the wedding, colourful suits can be stunning and shine bright to make your wedding day extra memorable.

    Remember, certain patterns pair well with certain colours and we recommend wearing a plain tie with a printed suit, and vice versa.

    Let’s take a look at what’s hot.








     

    Feature image: Instagram/Weddingsonpoint

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    In Planning

    Wedding photo trend: City skyline

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    Wedding photographers who want to stay ahead of the game do not have an easy job. These days, each wedding’s pictures are more stunning than the next and there are endless trends and styles depending on the couple’s vision.

    A massive wave hitting the industry -unexpected amongst the bloom of nature-focused weddings- is the city skyline. Think urban jungle with a sleek twist. This shoot can be classy, modern and cutting-edge. Here is some inspiration if you feel that way inclined:

     

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    ? It’s windy in this city! Don’t fly away!?⠀

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    A perfect NYC wedding. Win your dream wedding at Carnegie Hall. Link in bio.

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    Finishing up the gallery of these two beauties this week. I can’t get over how timeless and elegant they looked ?.

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    Also read: Wedding photo trend: Smoke bombs

    Image: Instagram/Kyliemariemoore 

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    In Advice

    How to: white bridal party dresses

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    Many believe that wearing white to a wedding is downright sinful, but these bridal parties say otherwise. All-white bridesmaid dresses have been loved for many years by brides and stylists alike, and we can see why. Follow in the footsteps of Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton by having your bridal party rock elegant white frocks.

    The key to pulling off this trend is contrast. Even though everyone is wearing white, guests should immediately be able to tell who the bride is. Keep enough difference between your dress and your bridesmaid dresses so that the roles are clear. Here are some tips to do it right.

    Detail, detail, detail:

    Go big on detail for your wedding dress and simple for your bridesmaid gowns to create contrast. Using texture and fabric, a wedding gown can easily stand out and emphasize the bride.

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    Mix shades of white:

    Bone, ivory, pearl, cream…white comes in so many tones. Another way to create a point of difference between the bride and the bridesmaid is to have gowns in different shades of white. Just remember that more than three shades can appear overwhelming, so don’t go too crazy.

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    Show some leg:

    Keep the wedding dress a full-length gown and go shorter with your bridesmaid dresses. Shortening a gown makes it slightly less formal, thus making the bride stand out that much more.

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Bridal Shower

    Adorable first look wedding images

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    Modern couples are skipping the time-honoured tradition of not seeing each other before walking down the aisle on their wedding day. More and more photographers are snapping ‘first look’ images, capturing the first time the couple sees each other in their wedding best. Often emotional and highly moving, these images are great for the non-traditional couple.

    First-look images don’t just have to be between the betrothed. You could also share the moment with a parent, your bridal party or even your pet.

    If you’re not yet convinced, maybe these emotive images will sway you.

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    If you want to have a little fun, why not consider a first-look prank? Here are a few of our favourites.

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    Featured image: Pexels

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